December 2011

Last Year’s Two Resolutions: 1) Run 1,000 miles and 2) read the Bible thru.
Only got 1/2 way thru the Bible – but continuing into 2012!
Ran 1,180 miles. Now I start running all over again in 2012. Old men need to stay healthy for God, Church, family and friends.
Join me in exercising – and reading the Bible too :-) HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Click on the image below to listen to our podcast. We discussed Bethlehem, the truth of the Bible, and and the birth of Christ. It was a fun and lively discussion. Join us for a virtual tour of Bethlehem.

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 25, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI has restored the tradition of proclaiming the birth of Christ with the chanting of the “Kalenda.” The chant culminated the prayer vigil in St. Peter’s Square on Christmas Eve, which was accompanied by the unveiling of the life-size Nativity Scene. THE PROCLAMATION OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST […]

ROME, DEC. 24, 2011 (Zenit.org).- For Christians in so many countries around the world — Iraq, Pakistan, Egypt, and others — and even for Christians in Bethlehem, the celebration of Christmas means facing particular difficulty. In Iraq, for example, where another round of suicide bombings on Thursday killed some 70 people, there will be no […]

We’ve been reading aloud Where the Red Fern Grows to the grandkids. I remember reading it to my own kids. We always write in the cover of the book, date it and sign it. We all had tears in our eyes through the last two chapters, just like I did 20 years ago too. But […]

David Simmons wrote a comment on my blog about his conversion in Iraq – at the original home of Abraham. He sent his story along with pictures. I told him two things: 1) Welcome home to the fullness of the Faith in the Catholic Church, and 2) Thanks for serving our country! I then asked […]

In his Christmas greetings from Jerusalem, the Patriarch of Jerusalem (covering Israel, Palestinian areas, Jordan and Cyrus) said, “I would like to conclude with an invitation to all Christians to come on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Do not be afraid. Our warm welcome awaits you. Come as pilgrims. It is one of the […]

I just read a good article on the health of our aging Pope and the grueling schedule he keeps. (Link below) He is now 84 years old and does more than most younger men could bear. Fr. Fessio, one-time student of Joseph Ratzinger and his publisher is quoted in this article. I remember jumping up […]

I received a call from a Canadian television station requesting I do an interview about Christmas. I had quite a good time with Michael Coren, host of The Arena. He was a great host and author…did you know he wrote the book: “Why Catholics are Right”? It is a very helpful book explaining and defending […]

Today I will be on Relevant Radio discussing Bethlehem and the Birth of Our Lord Jesus. I wrote this article which I thought you might enjoy and find informative. By the way, the picture below was taken from a mural painted in the Chapel of Angels in Shepherd’s Field in Bethlehem where the shepherds were […]

I am posting these two videos of our last pilgrimage so you can see Bethlehem today. We crossed into the Palestinian West Bank through the concrete wall and entered Bethlehem, the birthplace of Our Lord. We even heard the Our Father prayer in the language of Jesus. It was a great day leading Franciscan University […]